Meet Rita Suzanne | Business Strategist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Rita Suzanne and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rita, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
When I started my business in 2014, I did not have any balance at all. I spent all of my time working because I really felt I needed to prove myself to everyone else.

It all started to crumble in January 2020 and came to a crashing halt shortly after. I realized that I could no longer run my business the way that I was so I have been slowly building it back up but with balance this time.

And I am helping other mom business owners achieve balance as well. Some feel that balance is illustive but it is attainable if you look at it from another angle. If you look at balance as scales you will never achieve it. I look at it like a pie and fill my pie with the important things in my life. They do not need to be equal as long as they are included.

Balance is different for everyone and we have to define and create a balance that works for us.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I am a single mom of four who is now focused on helping other moms build a business that will support them, establish realistic boundaries, and leave mom guilt behind.

I walked away from corporate in 2014, moved from California to Ohio, and started creating website for coaches and other wellness brands. Because I am an avid learner, I also dove into all things branding and digital marketing so I could provide the best service to my clients.

However, I was burned out, charging too little and struggling with the equivalent of paycheck-to-paycheck for entrepreneurs. I was juggling multiple clients and probably not providing the best experience until I started offering VIP design days.

I was able to deliver a 3-4 page website in one day. That because my most profitable year in business and I started to feel less overwhelmed.

But in January 2020, I discovered my second husband was being unfaithful. Two weeks later, my baby sister passed away. Then the Covid restrictions kicked in so then I was at home trying to sift through my grief, heartbreak, and homeschool simultaneously.

In May 2020, I filed for my second divorce and for custody of my two nieces leaving me a single mom of four.

My life changed so much that my business had to pivot right along with it. I have transitioned into teaching moms the pieces that I realized I was missing. These foundations are essential and are for everyone not just for new business owners.

What I discovered during my podcast interviews is that most business owners had no plan. They were very reactive just as I was all of those years. It wasn’t until I actually started looking at alternative funding sources like grants and crowdsourcing did I realize that I needed a business plan.

I mean I knew about business plans but I didn’t think it was necessary for someone like me who was only offering this one service. Once I dove in, I realized this is why some of my previous design clients came to me unprepared as well. They did not know who their target audience was, what the vision or mission of their business was, or have any idea on how to market their business.

Without planning, you cannot achieve your goals. Business foundations is now what I am so passionate about teaching. Things like business planning, setting goals, time management, boundaries, financial management and marketing. Mastering these things have allowed me to work about six hours a day to build my business back up without burnout.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would really love to get a place on the beach and relax with some delicious food and drinks. Just enjoying the moment with no destination in mind.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
The moms who I had the pleasure of interviewing for the Mom Owned and Operated podcast are imperative to my ability to get back up this time. After isolating myself when my world started to crumble, I started my podcast so I could reconnect with other women. I had a yearning to know how other mom business owners were doing what I felt like I could no longer do. So I asked them “how are you raising a family, running a business, and remembering yourself.” Their stories and the friendships that came out of it are inspiring to me.

Website: https://ritasuzanne.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theritasuzanne/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theritasuzanne/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theritasuzanne/

Youtube: https://youtube.com/c/theritasuzanne

Other: https://momownedandoperated.com/